Study at a Finnish university | Languages | The Academic Year | Costs | Students from non-Finnish schools | Studying at the Theatre Academy | Study at a Finnish university LANGUAGES The instruction and course work are mainly in Finnish or Swedish. THE ACADEMIC YEAR The academic year has two terms. The autumn term usually runs from August to December, the spring term from January to May. During the summer months students can take exams or study for their degrees on courses arranged either by the universities themselves or by the Summer University. COSTS Since university education in Finland is funded by the State through the Ministry of Education, students enrolled for regular degree programmes pay no tuition fees. The student union does, however, charge an annual membership fee of about FIM 300 to cover its activities. Student health services are included in this fee. Membership of the union is compulsory for those studying for a Bachelor's or Master's degree but optional for students on doctoral programmes. Students have to pay for their books and other materials, their accommodation and living expenses. The average total living expenses of a single student are around FIM 3,500 per month (1997). Students from non-Finnish schools Students who have completed their schooling abroad may apply for the Theatre Academy as non-degree students, or as regular degree students via the normal entrance exam. Non-degree students may apply for the Academy at any time of the year. All students applying for regular degree courses are subject to the same regulations and selection criteria. Please note that most of the tuition at the Theatre Academy is in Finnish or Swedish. Studying at the Theatre Academy Study at the Theatre Academy is full-time. The studies in theatre and dance consist of artistic assignments, workshops, exercises, seminars, lectures and special courses. Students are guided in their growth into artists by professionals in their fields. The education seeks to bring out the unique artistic quality of each student in addition to providing theoretical and practice skills. The traditional occupations such as actor, director and dancer are now being joined by the versatile theatre or dance professional with a wide variety of skills in fields ranging from audio-visual arts to teaching. This applies in particular to sound and lighting design, but also to other areas of dramatic art. back